¡HOLA! ¿QUÉ TAL? :-)
Are you new here and wondering what the Spanish Learning Community and Resources is all about? Let me walk you through it!
WHAT IS OLS SPANISH?
OLS Spanish is more than just a set of courses or a language assessment you’re required to take. It is an online community where, besides finding formal teaching materials, you can read articles about the Spanish-speaking world, engage in thematic forums, take part in online speaking sessions, and enter exciting contests.
HOW TO GET STARTED?
To begin, we invite you to take the language assessment to determine your level of Spanish. Once completed, the platform will recommend the course (A1, A2, B1, B2) that best suits your needs. You can also explore additional learning resources on the Search page, located at the bottom of the home page.
JOIN THE FORUMS
Our community has three main forums where you can ask questions, connect with other mobility participants, practise your language skills, and share your experiences abroad. These are:
While the community manager (myself, until further notice) is here to stimulate discussion and facilitate participation, feel free to create your own threads and discuss whichever subject interests you. The more of us writing in the forums, the more useful content there will be for all of us.
Why don't you start by introducing yourself in Spanish HERE? :-)
READ OUR BLOG POSTS
We regularly publish articles about Spanish-speaking countries and language learning. Some are in Spanish, others in English. Our goal is to offer useful and engaging content for everyone, regardless of their language level. You’ll find these articles in the OLS Blog section. Additionally, we occasionally publish interviews with mobility participants who share their experiences in Spain and their journey learning Spanish.
PRACTISE SPANISH WITH ME AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
We organise online speaking sessions periodically, usually lasting between one hour and an hour and a half. Each session begins with a quick quiz, followed by introductions where participants share a bit about themselves. You’ll then take part in engaging group discussions and paired activities in breakout rooms. Click HERE to find all the details on how to join and register!
CONTESTS
On OLS, we run a variety of contests, both general and community-specific. The main contest, open to all 29 language communities, is the #OLSCommunityStories video contest, with its fourth edition coming up in a few months. We also host mini contests from time to time on topics like captioning images, photo competitions, slogan writing, or creating your own ending. Prizes often include gift cards or private speaking sessions.
STAY TUNED WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you want to stay up-to-date with the activities and events of this community, keep an eye on the community Announcements section. There, we share important information, including the schedule for online Spanish practice sessions and details about contests.HAVE FUN AND BE RESPECTFUL
In this community, everyone is welcome. Our only request is that, whatever is said, it is done with respect. If you respond to an opinion that is not compatible with your own, do so with consideration. If you find an error in one of the articles, please point it out gently. If the platform experiences any problems, let us know politely. A small ray of positivity and kindness goes a long way.
¡UN SALUDO A TODO EL MUNDO!
Bernat, OLS Community Manager – Spanish